• Adult Lap Swim: Lap swimming is a great way to get fit and stay in shape. At the Sterling YMCA, lap lanes are always provided for YMCA members. Lap swim lanes are only for individuals who are capable of swimming from one length of the pool to the other without stopping. Additional adult rec swim is available weekday mornings.  
• Family Swim: Want to splash in the water together? Family swim time (Free to YMCA members) is available every day at the Sterling YMCA and additional time is set aside at the Cabot Street warm-water pool. The following safety rules are in effect during all Family Swim times:
  • The lifeguard on duty has final authority on all safety issues - respect their decisions!
  • No rough housing or jumping on or near fellow swimmers
  • No running on the pool deck
  • No swimming underneath the bulkhead
  • Non-swimmers are not allowed in the deep end of the pool
  • All swimmers under 7 years old must be accompanied in the water by an adult
  • Lifeguards will require a Swim Test of any swimmer of questionable ability wishing to use the deep end. To pass a swim test the participant must be able to swim assisted for 25 yards on their stomach (one length of the pool), with good horizontal body position and demonstrate the ability to submerge completely.
• Water Aerobics: Our free Water Aerobics classes offer participants the chance to get a great workout in the pool and tailor their experience to their fitness level. Offered at convenient times throughout the week, all Water Aerobics classes are drop-in and open to all YMCA members.

Click to view our  Cabot Street YMCA pool schedule (family swim) and our  Sterling YMCA pool schedule (adult lap swim, family swim and water aerobics)

YMCA Swim Lessons

The YMCA has been teaching children how to swim and stay safe in the water for over 100 years.  Starting with parent/child instruction and moving to progressive preschool and youth classes, participants develop stroke mechanics, confidence in the water, and teamwork and leadership skills. Click on any class name to download more information about that program. (Flyers are for the Spring II session - Registration for Members begins on April 12).

Parent/Children (for children aged 6 months - 3 years)

• Shrimp Kipper (6-18 months): Prerequisite: Can control head and sit without support
• Inia (18-24 months): Prerequisite: Can control head and sit without support
• Perch I (24-36 months): Prerequisite: Can run and jump
• Perch II (30-36 months): Prerequisite: Child can separate from adult

Preschool (for children aged 3-6)

• Pike: For the new swimmer; can separate from adult to work with instructor
• Eel: Prerequisite: Perform Front/Back glide, jump in without assistance
• Ray: Prerequisite: Rhythmic breathing, can swim 1/2 width of 6 lane pool on front/back/side
• Starfish: Prerequisite: Ready to swim without floatation, can swim length of pool

Youth (grade 1 and up)

• Polliwog: For new swimmers!
• Guppy: Prerequisites: Children swim without floatation, can go underwater and keep body horizontal with straight legs (25 yards) 
• Minnow: Prerequisite: Free/Back/Side stroke (25 yards), Elementary back/breast stroke with arm/leg motions (25 yards)
• Fish: Prerequisite: Free stroke (50 yards), Back/Side stroke (25 yards), Rudimentary breast stroke (25 yards) 
• Flying Fish/Shark: Prerequisite: Free/Back/Side stroke (200 yards),  Butterfly (50 yards)

Competitive Aquatics

Competive aquatics offers a number of teams and programs for children and adults. Current programming includes:

• YMCA of the North Shore Sharks Swim Team
• Selkies Synchronized Swim Team
• Water Polo Team
• Masters Swim Team (for adults)

For more information about Competitive Aquatics, please contact Carol Meyer at 978-927-6855 x 104.

Birthday Parties

Want to make your child's birthday a real splash? Our pool and party rooms will make your child's special day a blast and our helpful staff will make the day run smoothly. Add the giant inflatable rock slide to make the day even more exciting!

For up to 10 Swimmers

Member: $180

Community: $200

Additional Child: $5 each

Rock Slide: $45

Party times are available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Each party consists of an hour in the pool and an hour in the party room. Birthday parties are limited to 25 swimmers per lifeguard. If you're planning a party larger than 25 swimmers, please add $50 for an extra lifeguard.

For more information or to schedule your Pool Birthday Party contact Scott Hitchcock, Associate Executive Director, at 978-927-6855 x102.

...And Some More Fun Stuff

We also strive to keep our community involved with a variety of program  so everyone can get “all wet” in our pools! Here are just some of the ongoing Aquatics programs we offer:

• Teen and Adult  Beginner Swim Lessons
• Combo class including Kindergym and Swim, Sports and Splash
• Mini Swim Team
• Introduction to Water Polo
• Introduction to Synchronized Swimming
• Lifeguarding Certification
• CPR/First Aid
• Arthritis Class (Cabot Street YMCA)

Click download a  program listing with current Aquatic programs!, or search for a class and register online

So no matter what your age, or your interest, you can always find something fun to do in Aquatics at the Greater Beverly YMCA!

PDF Documents: Our web site contains several .pdf documents. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, please click here for a free download.